Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-04-28
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
A Story OF Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALVA MILTON KERR.
tCorYnIour, isS6, ny THE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANY.
cnArTEn XXIIL.-covrIyuEa.

AliAlltk AAlils-fONIiNWhh
Often after that he wsitcd for Celeste
and brought her home, and almost
every evening they went to drive; and
ms he sat opposite Celeste an Mrs.
lIrayton in their comfortable carriage,
with the urbane colorcd coGchman
handling the rcins with much dignity up
on the front seat, and they rolled away
along the Winding river roads, about
the green hills, ont into the glorious
country, or perhaps alightcd at Spring
Grove Cemetery, that four hundred
acres Of green velvet sparkling with
wnitc spires 81 marble aud cool with
royal oaks, or again got down in Eden
Park and wandered about the lakes
and among the trees, he felt indeed
that life was not a heavy thing. Then
thore were evenings when Celeste
sang, and his sensitive spirit trembied
with pleasure upon her crystal voice;
and twice he hclped TO row a party up
the flushed river when the sun was 90
ing down, IN they nOatcd back to
the city through the holy moonlight,
singing rs they went Then he was
content TO bo silent, letting his oars fol-
low through the pearl-dented bubblin z
waters, while he listened to her voice,
ms 1t went through the others out over
the ghniing reach, 10 him not unlike "a
clear star-iiame, or some sounding
and ineflable perfume.
Then thers were nights at the play;
and ono when great concert came
of, and he was We .l-nigh lifted away
from Garth as the smooth thunder Of
two hundred perfect voices rolled up
through the mighty, mellow hollow OF
the building, aud ngain his heart was
filled when figura in white satin, a
glimmering Sip of womanhoOd, came
into the flare Of light, and sang such a
carol Of gladness as he thought he had
ncvor beard before. Ii was Celeste;
and when she had finished and thore
burst out tempest Of clappiug hands
and flying flowers, and the white fig
uro limpcd away out OF the wrcathing
light his eyes wcro filled with tears,
and lie saw only the little girl with
cups of water in her hands falling
-mong tho dying on field Of blood,
md felt again the wounding ball that
forever swerved her from a public life
Of song. But when few moments later
all was over, and he caught and for
hands and flashed his pride and
admiration into her upturned. radiant
face, great gladness swept over him,
a speechless gratitude, unqucstioned,
unanalyzed, that she was physically
imperfect cls3 they might have
mover, met; she might have never
been ali. whatP What was thisP this
thatohid blossomod through all his
bloodg this that had loatod there for
years, and az last had ccntcrcd like
star-mlst In his brain, mailing earth and
life seem beautiful? Yet even now it
was rather gladness felt than a prin-
ciple perceived; pure and gentle &C.
stacy, through which his thoughts, as
they rode hOmeward. ran glOwingly,
und la which he led her from the car
riaga 10 her door wi.b something like
religious reverence. mingled with an
unspcakable longing 10 Kiss her lifted
face as she leaned upon hi, arm weary
In body but With glowing eyes.
That night when be laid down 10
Floep la the beautiful chamber, and his
eyes were closed and soft darkness be-
gan to fold him in, his whole being
seemed sweet. and hc saw all recent
things distinctly for time as In a
mighty mirror, with those old bard
days far back In tho glass. filming. ana
iiickuring, and passing into dream.
When the day began to break
again. 70 him. drifting out from tho
dark sea Of sleep, the first glim-
morings of the shore Of conscious
ness seemed filed with music.
and he awoke 10 hear Celeste caroling
Ia the little conservatory below. An,
what silYcrl She wishes 10 waken me.
ho thought. and sprang up and looked
out and saw the sun. rel AS thr0b-
hing heart hamlng up through the
tree tops FAR to the east, with All the
intervening sweep of river hills and
smoking housetols. sown with little
fires
III has rained glow-wormsl' he said
10 himself with 4 smile. noting that
llille shower had fallon In the night.
against whose pendant drops the tiny
pfrows from the rising sun struck aud
Smols QUE \ million sparks.
Il uaa a momorahle day 10 John Ear.
||nK When he game down upon one